Banned from MADB

[_Ray A]

You see, Mormons are so damned stupid, that if they have any damned brains, they'd learn how to maintain good relations with those who really don't hate them. But they create the hate.

[_Ray A]

Welcome to Mormon World. Gordon B. Hinkley talking to Larry King:



"It's behind us, Larry"

[_Ray A]

Joseph Smith on his way to "visit" Fanny Alger:

[_Ray A]

Marvin J. Ashton:

4. The Gift to Calm

What a majestic gift it is to be able to calm others! We thank God for those who are calm instead of contentious.

“For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another” (3 Ne. 11:29).

Contention is a tool of the adversary. Peace is a tool of our Savior. What a wonderful tribute we pay people when we describe them as being gentle, firm, and calm!

Contention stops progress. Love brings eternal progression.

Where contention prevails, there can be no united effort in any purposeful direction.

“Cease to contend one with another; cease to speak evil one of another” (D&C 136:23).

Argument and debate must be supplanted by calm discussion, study, listening, and negotiation.

The gospel is one of harmony, unity, and agreement. It must be presented in love, and with glad tidings, by those who are calm.

We should learn to talk together, listen together, pray together, decide together, and avoid all forms of possible contention. We must learn to curb anger. Satan knows that when contention begins, orderly progress is thwarted.

There has never been a time when it is more important for us as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to take a stand, remain firm in our convictions, and conduct ourselves with calm assurance under all circumstances. We must not be manipulated or enraged by those who subtly foster contention over issues of the day.

“Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away” (3 Ne. 11:30).

“Ye should live in peace one with another” (Mosiah 2:20). Those with the gift of being calm make lasting peace possible.

There are many gifts.

[_Ray A]

It's official: Mormon apologetics probably does more damage to Mormonism than all the anti-Mormons who ever lived in all ages of time.

You have to be the biggest “F” up imaginable.

[_asbestosman]

You see, Mormons are so f*** stupid, that if they have any f*** brains, they'd learn how to maintain good relations with those who really don't hate them. But they create the hate.

That's quite a generalization Ray, and one I don't agree with. I think there are many polite Mormons online. By the same token I try not to paint all critics with a broad brush (except maybe when I'm joking around which I hope would be obvious). Furthermore, I'm wondering how much hate posters such as Katherine the Great, or Tsuzuki generate.

It's official: Mormon apologetics probably does more damage to Mormonism than all the anti-Mormons who ever lived in all ages of time.

You mean almost none? ;)

Personally I think that crowing about how much harm MADB does is merely delusions of grandeur held by many here. I mean, most of my LDS friends don't know about the board at all. Some know about FARMS, but don't really know much about it. For most Mormons, the things which are impactful are what they hear over the pulpit, what they read in the Ensign, and what their friends tell them.

[_Ray A]

Furthermore, I'm wondering how much hate posters such as Katherine the Great, or Tsuzuki generate.

Almost none. Why is that? Do you subscribe to Tsuzuki's view of magic? Or Katherine's obviously liberal views?

Personally I think that crowing about how much harm MADB does is merely delusions of grandeur held by many here. I mean, most of my LDS friends don't know about the board at all. Some know about FARMS, but don't really know much about it. For most Mormons, the things which are impactful are what they hear over the pulpit, what they read in the Ensign, and what their friends tell them.

My experience with real life Mormons has almost always been positive. I really, really do like them, and consider many of them my friends. I would give an arm and a leg to help them. To this day, I avoid buying alcohol out of their sight, so as not to offend them. And they have never offended me. They have always respected my wishes, and my choices. And I really do believe that were I to call upon any of them for help, they would offer it unhesitatingly. They know nothing about "apologetics", but I think, rightly or wrongly, they understand "the language of Christ". And that's what's important to me.

Apologetics will never win me over, but when I see Mormons who really live by what they believe, and their friendship and tolerance to me, in that respect I see a religion that goes beyond creeds and contention, and behaves like they have really been touched by God. I saw this when I went through divorce, and that's what is important to me, not what they "officially" believe.

At the end of this life, you're not going to be asked what you accomplished in apologetics, or academia, you're going to be asked whether you gave water to the thirsty, or food to the hungry, or clothing to the naked and homeless.

At that day, your "theology" will be in rags.

That's how I see it, anyway.

[_Alter Idem]

Why me,

No, I didn't ignore contacts and warnings from Hermes. He's been warning me about the littlest things since January, about the kind of things you really can't watch out for or predict what will trigger a "no-no" PM. I was regularly editing and deleting my own posts, second-guessing my tone, wondering if Hermes just wants me to get fed up and leave. It's been very frustrating, because the "expectations" have been vague and different for me than for other posters, yet I have always politely complied as I was a guest.

I agree with you that there are "other issues besides the youtube video" that got me banned: the issues are best summed up as being personally disliked by Hermes (and possibly other mods).

I think you've got it wrong here. Hermes seems to me to be one of the more balanced, patient mods at MADB--so if any of them wanted you there, it would have been Hermes. These are my thoughts on the situation--just my hunch, but I suspect that the MODS decided to give a few posters a second chance (back in December) when some were unbanned. I suspect that not all agreed on the decisions--Dude, you probably squeaked through. I suspect that Hermes was giving you warnings because she (I don't know if she's a she, but I think of her as one) knew that others who didn't like you and didn't want you back wanted an excuse to axe you. Especially since you admit that she gave you numerous PM warnings.

And for whoever said it, I doubt Hermes is SMAC. I really think Hermes is female.

Anyway, I'm sorry you got jettisoned. You are right-it was not fair--numerous others post links that are ignored by the mods, but get others banned. I believe we are not to link to anti Mormon websites, but someone did so recently and nothing was said. Even mentioning "nazis" can get a thread closed--but only if the mods WANT to close it--otherwise, I think they ignore it--I've seen it ignored.
I saw one thread that had quite a bit of borderline temple talk that I was not comfortable with, and yet, it was allowed to remain open and people participated. I don't know if they just missed it--I didn't report it, I assumed they would see it and close it, but they didn't. I think they let it stand because it was started by a board regular and the participants were active LDS.

Yes, the rules are not enforced equally--they are enforced when they choose to enforce them. It's clear the tide turned against you (maybe they'd been getting poster complaints against you as well) and they took the opportunity to act--but I am absolutely certain Dr. Peterson had nothing to do with it-heck, do you guys not notice that he ACTUALLY likes talking to critics? That's why he comes here--duh!!!
Dealing with critics of the church and studying their methods and how they think is one of his passions. It seems illogical to think he tries to silence people he actually makes an effort to search out and engage.
I think all of us can see that desire to post and spend time on these boards ebbs and flows. I suspect the Dr. P is getting busy and his interest here is waning and his patience ran thin with some of the juveniles here. Most likely, when it strikes his fancy, he'll look in again and if something interests him, he'll post again. Having been on the boards for many years, I know that I have times when I'm not interested in them at all and others times, I get curious to see if something is being discussed and I will return and may be drawn into conversation.

[_The Dude]

Alter Idem,

I don't know which individual moderator banned me, but I do think whoever did it was acting on a personal grudge. So maybe that wasn't Hermes, but she still justified the banning with the insulting nonsense about me deciding I didn't want to meet board expectations. Trying to guess board expectations has been a total mind f*** and I am thoroughly insulted that Hermes thinks I made a decision to get myself banned. I made almost 6,000 posts on that board. Now I can't use the search function to access my own posts over the years (and back when the FAIR board was more than a sunday school).

[_cinepro]

Alter Idem,

I don't know which individual moderator banned me, but I do think whoever did it was acting on a personal grudge. So maybe that wasn't Hermes, but she still justified the banning with the insulting nonsense about me deciding I didn't want to meet board expectations. Trying to guess board expectations has been a total mind f*** and I am thoroughly insulted that Hermes thinks I made a decision to get myself banned. I made almost 6,000 posts on that board. Now I can't use the search function to access my own posts over the years (and back when the FAIR board was more than a sunday school).

Unless your IP is blocked, you could try making a new account for "search" purpose only. As long as you don't actually post, you should be OK. But you'll never be able to read your PM's again.